Description

Remarkable keepsake from one of the first Fighting Irish football stars

1916 Stan Cofall Owned & Worn Notre Dame Football Captain's
Letterman Sweater. The legendary Knute Rockne was still just an
assistant coach in South Bend when star halfback Cofall earned this
navy wool sweater with the three golden sleeve stripes indicating
his status as captain of the Fighting Irish football team. While
Notre Dame has earned its reputation as one of the great early
football powers, it was still primarily the Ivy League that
dominated the gridiron in the years prior to the American entry
into the First World War, and uniforms and related garments from
the period prior to the school's first NCAA Championship in 1924 is
exceedingly rare. This sweater rates highly amidst that thin
supply.

Cofall would score twelve touchdowns and eighty-four points the
year of his 1916 captaincy, earning residence on several
All-American teams for his efforts, but one could argue that his
post-graduation service to the sport is the greater key to his
football immortality. Upon returning from WWI service, Cofall
helped organize the Cleveland Indians football team, and the
following year traveled to Canton, Ohio with team owner Jimmy
O'Donnell to attend a meeting where the American Professional
Football Association (predecessor to the NFL) was organized. Cofall
was named as the league's first vice president. He would continue
to compete as well, wearing the uniforms of the short-lived New
York Brickley Giants and the Pottsville Maroons. In short, Cofall
is fully deserving of recognition as one of the key pioneers of the
early professional game.

As such, we expect the competition for ownership of this remarkable
relic to extend well beyond the Notre Dame fanbase. The deep navy
garment exhibits expected wear, particularly apparent in the sleeve
area where the navy wool has worn away to expose the black
underlining, but our catalog imagery should indicate that the
aesthetics remain strong. The golden chenille "ND" patch over the
heart is partially loose at the left edge but otherwise remains
firmly affixed. Manufacturer's label appears at interior button
path.

The sweater was purchased by our consignor from Cofall's son, and a
handwritten and signed letter from the latter attends. Letter of
provenance from Stan Cofall's son. LOA from Heritage
Auctions.